The 23rd Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang officially opened on Saturday, August 1, at Padang Padang Beach in Pecatu.
There is no fixed competition date: organizers will wait for the right swell to arrive in the Indian Ocean, with the entire month of August available as a waiting period. A total of 24 invited surfers will compete — 12 Indonesians and 12 international athletes.
The contest director will monitor the surf forecast and issue the official “green light” once conditions look right. Competitors will then have 48 hours to make their way to the Bukit Peninsula, with the entire competition taking place in a single day when the swell reaches its peak. Four places in the men’s draw are still open and will be decided through the Men’s Padang Padang Trials.
Indonesia will be represented by defending champion Westen Hirst, Ketut Agus and Made Pajar Ariyana. International invitees include Taj Burrow, Mason Ho and Sky Brown. In the women’s competition, Jasmine Studer will defend her title against surfers including Ruby Berry and Mentawai’s Kaya Hoyer. Taina Izquierdo and Paris Nalendra secured their places in the main event through the July trials.
Half of the available spots are reserved for Indonesian surfers. Rip Curl says the format is designed to give local talent greater international exposure. Many highly skilled surfers live in Bali but remain relatively unknown outside the island, while the presence of established international names gives Indonesian competitors a chance to showcase their abilities on a bigger stage.
The opening included a temple ceremony and a traditional Kecak performance, while the Regent of Badung marked the occasion by striking a gong. Events planned throughout the waiting period include a free beachfront concert by Australian band Floodlights, with the official party scheduled for August 29.
Padang Padang is famous for its barrels — waves that curl over to form a hollow tube, allowing surfers to ride inside them. The competitors invited to the Rip Curl Cup are often described as “tube riders,” with the event specifically bringing together surfers known for their ability to perform in barreling waves.
These conditions are at their best in Bali during the dry season. From June to August, the easterly monsoon brings consistent winds from the direction of Australia, while powerful swells travel across the Indian Ocean toward Bali. This period typically produces some of the biggest and most consistent waves of the year, which is why August was chosen as the competition’s month-long waiting period.
At the opening ceremony, the Regent of Badung also promised improved access to the beach by the time the next tournament takes place. Construction on the first section of the South Ring Road began five days before the ceremony. The new route will connect Jimbaran and Uluwatu and is expected to ease some of the traffic around GWK and Pecatu.
The competition will be streamed live on the Rip Curl Indonesia website and on Instagram at @ripcurl_indo, with surf forecasts and updates from Padang Padang.
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